What are Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Necrotizing fasciitis in cats, commonly referred to as the flesh eating bacteria, is a rapidly spreading bacterial infection of the facial and subcutaneous tissues. Necrotizing fasciitis in cats is most commonly caused by the bacteria known as Streptococcus canis, but other reported cases have been caused by other strains of bacteria including Prevotella bivia and Acinetobacter baumannii. One of these three strains of bacteria can enter the cat’s skin through a point of injury, such as trauma to the skin caused by a bite or deep scratch. Signs of an infection usually begin to appear just a few days after being infected and include localized pain, edema and localized erythema. The death rate of necrotizing fasciitis in cats is rather high and not all felines that recover make a full recovery. As tissue reconstruction is often necessary, a feline may lose the functionality of her tissues, which is why professional veterinary consultation is a must.
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Symptoms of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Cats
Clinical signs of necrotizing fasciitis in cats will appear within a few days of infection. In beginning stages of infection, the skin will develop small skin lesions that soon turn into large regions of ulceration and necrosis. The affected skin separates itself, uncovering hidden flesh underneath the skin and local to total body pain is to be expected. Necrotizing fasciitis in cats spreads quickly and in a short amount of time will cause the feline to develop symptoms including the following:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (formation of blood clots)
- Melena (dark, tarry feces)
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Ecchymosis (bruising or discoloration of skin from bleeding)
- Multiple organ failure
- Hypoalbuminemia (low blood albumin)
- Skeletal muscle damage
- Leukocytosis (high white cell count)
- Peripheral underperfusion
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Depression
- Fever
- Shock
Causes of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Cats
Necrotizing fasciitis in cats is caused by a localized streptococcal infection with a systemic toxemia effect. The majority of necrotizing fasciitis cases are caused by the Streptococcus canis bacterial strain, but Prevotella bivia and Acinetobacter baumannii organisms have been reported to affect felines as well. Minor skin injuries are the common point of entry for these organisms, such as a bite wound, cut or scratch on the cat’s skin. Necrotizing fasciitis is commonly seen in outdoor felines, shelter cats, and in hoarding facilities. Necrotizing fasciitis is more commonly seen in dogs and is also known for its zoonotic potential for infecting humans.
Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Cats
Your veterinarian will base his or her diagnosis on the clinical signs your cat is displaying, histopathological results, and surgical findings. However, the vet cannot make an absolute positive diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis until a positive culture of the aetiological agent (bacterial strain causing the infection) has been made. Therefore, your veterinarian will start diagnostic tests with a physical exam, followed by a review of your cat’s medical history. You will be asked about your cat’s condition, how long the feline has had clinical signs of an infection and if she/he suffered any recent trauma to speak of. An analysis of your cat’s blood, urine and feces will likely be performed to rule out possible causes of the cat’s condition. Following routine diagnostic procedure, the veterinarian will likely swab the skin to perform a skin culture and/or take a sample of skin upon biopsy for histopathological examination.
Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Cats
Necrotizing fasciitis is treated with aggressive surgical excision of all necrotic tissues to prevent the bacteria from spread onto unaffected, healthy skin. A delay in surgical debridement will increase the feline’s chances of mortality, therefore, treatment must be rapid. Intravenous fluids infused with a strong antibiotic will be administered to the feline to aid in fighting the bacteria. Although an antibiotic will aid in treating the necrotizing fasciitis infection, therapeutic drugs alone, without surgical excision, will prove ineffective.
After the necrotic (dead) tissues have been surgically removed, your cat will require skin grafts under reconstructive surgery. If your cat has enough excess tissue to be removed from another area of the body, tissues can be directly transferred from that area. However, if your cat is relatively lean and does not posses enough excess tissue, a donor may be required. Ask your veterinarian about a skin donor program for your cat and what is required of the feline to receive necessary tissues.
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Recovery of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Cats
The prognosis for necrotizing fasciitis in cats is guarded to poor. Felines that are diagnosed early and receive aggressive treatment have a better outcome, but may not make a full recovery. The feline will appear overall healthy, but the grafted tissues are non-functional with poor nerve stimulation and poor elasticity. Due to the rarity of this disease, a prompt diagnosis may be difficult to obtain as the likelihood of a cat being affected by necrotizing fasciitis is extremely low. For humans, the chances of being infected with a flesh eating bacteria is one to five cases in 100,000 people and, although the rate believed to be slightly higher in cats, the chances are still fairly low.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Average Cost
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Necrotizing Fasciitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Siamese cat
One month
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shivering, Body Malaise, Iv
Please help us. We’ve already brought our kitten to the vet clinic. He’s been diagnosed with Parvo. He’s been given IV and we’re instructed to administer antibiotics and a multivitamin for the liver. However, we found out now that he has worms in his tail. These worms are burrowing their way in his flesh. Thank you!
July 17, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
5 Recommendations
Hello-
Thank you for reaching out. It could be parasites or it more likely it could be maggots that have developed. In either case you need to follow up with your veterinarian so they can recheck him and provide treatment for the parasites or maggots. He may need to be hospitalized again if he is not improving.
July 17, 2020
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Unknown
Five Weeks
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rotting Flesh?, Sneezing, Rumble In Lungs, Possible Worms?
I am trying to figure out if she absolutely needs to see a vet, and why the wound is stinky. She was attacked by a larger cat and we believe she may have bot flies in the wound
July 15, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Your 5 week old kitten has been attacked, has an infected wound and there are maggots living in that wound. She needs to see a veterinarian, yes. They will be able to debride the tissues if needed, get her appropriate antibiotic so that she can heal, and hopefully save her life.
I hope that your kitten is okay.
July 15, 2020
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house cat
Ping Ping
8 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rotting Ear
Ear flesh has started to rot from the tip down and now 3/4 of the ear is gone. The cat is active and eats as normal.
Ear flesh has started to rot from the tip down and now 3/4 of the ear is gone. The cat is active and eats as normal.
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition
Aug. 25, 2018
4 Recommendations
In these cases, there isn’t an at home treatment, you should visit your Veterinarian immediately for an examination to diagnose the condition and to take steps to prevent further ear loss and limit further tissue damage. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 26, 2018
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Cat
Shadow
7 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Rescued cat has deep wound on cheek that has exposed skin. Wheeping fluid, eye is swelling. Thought it may havw been a spider bite but the mass keeps enlarging amd wound getting larger. He's 6 or 7 weeks old. Very active eating healthy normal urine and feces.
July 14, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
The wound that you're describing on Shadow sounds like it needs medical attention if it is deep, swelling, and enlarging. Without seeing him, I can't examine or treat him, but having him seen by a veterinarian would allow them to look at the wound and determine what might be causing it and how to treat it.
July 14, 2018
Can the bacteria be transferred to humans from infected cat or to other animals?
July 29, 2018
Karen A.
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Feline
Rugrat
15 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mass In Stomach & Groin Area
I have a 15 female cat, who doesn't go outside, no trauma to my knowledge, has this condition. It has formed a huge mass on her stomach/groin area.
We were at the local vet on 3/27 with no signs of this mass, but was treated for dehydration....could she have received this virus from s dirty needle?
I have also been told, after seeking a new vets advice that the mass would eventually tear inside and outside. If the skin continues to die on the outside surface a sore would appear and would be uncomfortable. How long does this take for this to happen?
May 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Without knowing more about what is happening with Rugrat, I don't have any way to answer your question, unfortunately. Necrotizing Fasciitis is quite uncommon, but infections and masses are more common, especially in 15 year old cats. Since you had her seen by a veterinarian recently, it would be best to follow up with them, as they know more details on what her situation actually is, and can give you an idea as to treatment and possible outcomes. I hope that she is okay.
May 9, 2018
Can this flesh eating bacteria be transferred to other animals or humans?
July 29, 2018
Karen A.
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Domestic shorthair
Ghost
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Swollen Eye
Mild Pain
Dark Skin
The cat belongs to my grandparents who live in the apartment below me, but Ghost was my cat first, so I have a very strong bond with him.
Yesterday I went to town to get money for my rent, and as I got back, he came to greet me like always. He looked fine, acted fine, and seemed like his normal, lovable self.
Today I had an appointment so I left early and Ghost wasn't around. My grandfather fed Ghost the night before and said he was fine. Today I came home and he had a large, dark lesson on the left side of his face, the lesson itself was dry but the edge was mildly bloody. The lesson looks almost tough and hard with a small beige spot in the middle, surrounded by what looks like thin beige rings?there's no hair on it, except a tiny patch. His eye is nearly swollen shut but he still seems to move and walk normally. I've looked all over the internet and can't find anything like it. I have a video of him but sadly can't post it here. I'm really worried that it'll get worse and he'll have to be put down... My grandparents nor I have the money available to get him treated... His girlfriend, Mama, went missing the day before yesterday. I don't know if they were attacked by an animal or someone killed Mama and wounded Ghost.
I'd really appreciate if someone could lend some advice or experience if you know what could cause this overnight. Thank you
Mix
Whitey
2 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Smell Of Rot, Sickly, Wierd Sores
Cat has sickly look no appetite, wierd rot smell slightly emanating from it, some type of wierd sore/decomposing of base of tail and Achilles tendon area on bith hind legs
Necrotizing Fasciitis Average Cost
From 253 quotes ranging from $1,000 - $5,000
Average Cost
$3,000
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